Renton, Area Firefighters Conquer 69 Flights of Columbia Tower

Twelve seconds. That's how quickly Renton firefighter Josh Brown took a flight of stairs--69 times in a row.

Brown was among firefighters from around the world who came to Seattle on Sunday to conquer the 69 flights of the Columbia Tower as part of the Scott's Firefighter Challenge to support the mission of The Leukemia &  Lymphoma Society, raising money through sponsorships, individual and department fund-raising, and entry fees.

To-date the Renton firefighters have raised $23,815.92, and the Skyway firefighters have raised $7,805.55.

Brown placed 14th overall, finishing in 13:08, or 12 seconds a flight average.

Renton firefighters dedicated this year's climb in honor of retired Renton Deputy Chief Art Larson, who died Jan. 12 from lymphoma. Larson served 35 years in the fire service and for the citizens of Renton and King County Fire District 25.

Renton Battalion Chief Stan Engler placed first in his age group and first among fire chiefs. He placed seventh overall in the Masters Division at 13:58, or 13 seconds a flight average.

The top local female finisher was Kent Regional Firefighter Jessi Nemens, who placed first in age group, third overall among women, 193rd out of 1,473 firefighters with a time of 16:39, or 15 seconds a flight average.

Andrew Drobeck of Missoula (MT) City Fire placed first, finishing the tower in 10:48, or 10 seconds a flight average.

Other Renton area firefighters:

Robert Hyslop (Renton Fire) 15:31 or 14 seconds a flight average.

Chuck Hawley (Renton Fire) 16:34 or 15 seconds a flight average.

Caitlin Corey (Kent Fire) 18:18 or 16 seconds a flight average. Placed eighth overall among females and 375th out of 1,473 firefighters.

Chris Cline (Renton Fire) 19:07 or 17 seconds a flight average.

Dan Alexander (Renton Fire) 19:58 or 18 seconds a flight average.

Todd Fisher (Renton Fire) 20:39 or 18 seconds a flight average.

Josh Swidler (Skyway Fire) 20:49 or 19 seconds a flight average.

Steven Trujillo (Renton Fire) 20:56 or 19 seconds a flight average.

Andrew Plumlee (Renton Fire) 21:01 or 19 seconds a flight average.

Luke Alvarado (Renton Fire) 21:48 or 19 seconds a flight average.

Kellison Dabling (Skyway Fire) 21:58 or 20 seconds a flight average.

Patrick Stalnaker (Renton Fire) 22:06 or 20 seconds a flight average.

Chris Krystofiak (Renton Fire) 22:21 or 20 seconds a flight average.

Donovan Eckhardt (Renton Fire) 23:06 or 21 seconds a flight average.

Jon Hollcraft (Renton Fire) 25:28 or 23 seconds a flight average.

Tyler Eliason (Skyway Fire) 25:49 or 23 seconds a flight average.

Euvin Kim (Skyway Fire) 26:25 or 23 seconds a flight average.

Troy Miller (Skyway Fire) 26:29 or 24 seconds a flight average.

Aaron Gregory (Skyway Fire) 28:01 or 25 seconds a flight average.

Marc Donnell (Renton Fire) 28:36 or 25 seconds a flight average.

Jeffrey Vollandt (Renton Fire) 30:31 or 27 seconds a flight average.

Ruslan Gryniv (Skyway Fire) 35:38 or 31 seconds a flight average.

Justin Cox (Renton Fire) 35:58 or 32 seconds a flight average.